Oct 23, 2015, 12:17 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
American Airlines Checked and Cabin Animal / Pet Policies and Requirements
NOTE: This is the new thread for checked and carry-on animals / pets as they are permitted by American Airlines. It is strictly for bona fide questions, replies and relevant discussion of pets and animals in-cabin and checked as animal cargo.
Discussions relating to reactions to in-cabin animals, service or support animals or their legitimacy, purpose, false labeling, etc. are considered dilatory to this topic and will be summarily deleted. There are other, more appropriate fora for those discussions.
Thank you for your understanding.
/American Airlines | AAdvantage Moderator team
Discussions relating to reactions to in-cabin animals, service or support animals or their legitimacy, purpose, false labeling, etc. are considered dilatory to this topic and will be summarily deleted. There are other, more appropriate fora for those discussions.
Thank you for your understanding.
/American Airlines | AAdvantage Moderator team
For discussion regarding AA policies regarding assistance, psychiatric or emotional support animals, please see AA Policy Regarding Service, Psychiatric and Emotional Support Animals here on FT.
Link to U S Department of Transportation Service Animal Guidance (and downloadable PDF)
In 1990, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) promulgated the official regulations implementing the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). Link to downloadable PDF covering service animals.
For general information about travel with pets, please see the Link to FlyerTalk "Travel with Pets" forum .
Link to thread on A321T First class "Cuddle Class" pet cabin / kennel.
Which destinations allow travel with pets?
You can travel with a pet on most flights not longer than 12 hours or flights to/from:* *12 hours includes the time it takes to clear customs at the arrival city.
(Note: There are additional special restrictions that may apply when traveling with pets - please refer to the aa.com page linked to above. Some destinations absolutely prohibit the carriage of pets on AA, others have significant restrictions. Failure to observe these could result in up to confiscation and destruction of your pet in some countries. - JD)
You can travel with a pet on most flights not longer than 12 hours or flights to/from:*
- Within the 48 contiguous United States
- The U.S. and Canada
- Alaska
- Central America**
- Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- St. Croix
- St. Thomas
(Note: There are additional special restrictions that may apply when traveling with pets - please refer to the aa.com page linked to above. Some destinations absolutely prohibit the carriage of pets on AA, others have significant restrictions. Failure to observe these could result in up to confiscation and destruction of your pet in some countries. - JD)
Carry on pets $125.00 per pet
When traveling on an American Airlines flight, you can bring one pet kennel as your carry-on bag if: If all your travel is on American Airlines we can only accept up to 7 kennels each flight (not including service animals). When traveling on an American Eagle flight, we can accept up to 5 kennels per flight (with a maximum of 1 in first class). You’ll need to contact Reservations to make arrangements in advance.
Guidelines for carry-on pets
When carrying on your pet, you’ll need to make sure that they can stand up, turn around and lie down in a natural position in their kennel. Non-collapsible kennels can be a maximum of 19in x 13in x 9in (see next section).
Soft-sided collapsible kennels such as Sherpa bags can be larger if they're made of water-repellant, padded or the have nylon have mesh ventilation on 2 or more sides.
*American Airlines assumes no liability for the health or well-being of carry-on pets.
When traveling on an American Airlines flight, you can bring one pet kennel as your carry-on bag if:
- You pay the carry-on pet charge
- Your pet is at least 8 weeks old
- Your pet stays in their kennel and under the seat in front of you for the entire flight
Guidelines for carry-on pets
When carrying on your pet, you’ll need to make sure that they can stand up, turn around and lie down in a natural position in their kennel. Non-collapsible kennels can be a maximum of 19in x 13in x 9in (see next section).
Soft-sided collapsible kennels such as Sherpa bags can be larger if they're made of water-repellant, padded or the have nylon have mesh ventilation on 2 or more sides.
*American Airlines assumes no liability for the health or well-being of carry-on pets.
Underseat stowage issues
A number of aircraft have limitations not revealed on aa.com. For example, * see http://www.dogjaunt.com/posts/catego...-measurements/ for under seat stowage measurements and other information
A number of aircraft have limitations not revealed on aa.com. For example,
- Some newer Business configurations may have seats that are not FAA STC'd to allow under seat stowage throughout the flight
- Some aisle or window seats have much narrower under seat stowage
- Some seats may be obstructed by power or/and A/V distribution boxes
- The MiQ seats used in F/J on many Oasis refitted A20321 &. 738, as well as on A321neo and 737 MAX 8 aircraft, have very limited under seat stowage
- Some smaller regional carriers may have restricted under seat stowage areas
Checked pets
You can travel with up to 2 checked pets that are at least 8 weeks old. Please note that as capacity is limited, we accept checked pets on a first-come basis. When checking a pet, you’ll need to:
Special notice:
Checked pets cannot travel on A321S, A321H, A320, A319 aircraft and all flights operated by... regional partner Air Wisconsin.
Seasonal bans on cargo-checked pets may exist, e.g. Phoenix and Palm Springs in summer months.
Several aircraft bar cabin pets - altogether or more likely in Business of First. Be sure to read the page on aa.com linked to near the top of this Wikipost thoroughly.
Checked pets cannot travel on A321S, A321H, A320, A319 aircraft and all flights operated by... regional partner Air Wisconsin.
Seasonal bans on cargo-checked pets may exist, e.g. Phoenix and Palm Springs in summer months.
Several aircraft bar cabin pets - altogether or more likely in Business of First. Be sure to read the page on aa.com linked to near the top of this Wikipost thoroughly.
- Contact Reservations at least 48 hours prior to travel
- Check in at the ticket counter
- Allow extra check-in time (can't check pets more than 4 hours before your flight)
- Complete a checklist with an agent
- Provide a health certificate
To ensure the health and safety of your pet, the health certificate you provide must be issued by a vet within:
- 10 days of your travel
- 60 days of your return (travel on the same ticket)
- 10 days of your return (travel on a separate ticket)
Link to thread about A321T Business seat issues with carry-on animals.
Updated 22 Jun 2016 - JDiver
AA checked and cabin animal / pet information & policy (master thread)
Oct 19, 2020, 3:26 pm
#76
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
One carry-on pet per passenger I believe. All spelled out here:
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...tance/pets.jsp
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...tance/pets.jsp
Last edited by mvoight; Oct 20, 2020 at 9:15 am
May 3, 2021, 2:44 pm
#77
Original Member, Moderator: Hotel Deals and MilesBuzz
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 14,257
I'm assisting my elderly mother in a move from Phoenix to Washington DC. We are booked on a non-stop flight and will be flying on an A321neo. We have made pet reservations and will have two cats in two separate carriers with us. Right now, seating is wide open so I am wondering if the aisle, middle or window offers a larger under-seat area for the pet carriers?
Last edited by MileageAddict; May 3, 2021 at 4:22 pm
May 8, 2021, 5:59 pm
#78
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,639
May 11, 2021, 12:09 pm
#79
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Silver / Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 35,681
Im trying to fish out the answers from this very long thread, perhaps someone that has been able to navigate it better than me and/or has had recent experiences with AA travel with a small dog can give me the "short" answer. We have a 13lb Toy Poodle that will fit in one of the airline approved carriers. We would want to fly with him in the Cabin on a 777 - the route in question will be EZE-MIA. At first glance, I thought this would be a no-brainer "yes" answer, but I was talking to my Vet yesterday about the paperwork to get the dog into the USA and she said that AA had "recently" decided they would no longer allow pets on the EZE-MIA route.... would something like this be published somewhere on the AA website, or perhaps this was a "temporary" embargo for cabin pets...?
Thanks !!
Thanks !!
May 11, 2021, 4:05 pm
#80
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,639
Im trying to fish out the answers from this very long thread, perhaps someone that has been able to navigate it better than me and/or has had recent experiences with AA travel with a small dog can give me the "short" answer. We have a 13lb Toy Poodle that will fit in one of the airline approved carriers. We would want to fly with him in the Cabin on a 777 - the route in question will be EZE-MIA. At first glance, I thought this would be a no-brainer "yes" answer, but I was talking to my Vet yesterday about the paperwork to get the dog into the USA and she said that AA had "recently" decided they would no longer allow pets on the EZE-MIA route.... would something like this be published somewhere on the AA website, or perhaps this was a "temporary" embargo for cabin pets...?
Thanks !!
Thanks !!
South America
You cannot travel with a carry-on pet when traveling to / from:
You cannot travel with a carry-on pet when traveling to / from:
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Chile
- Colombia
- Uruguay
Jun 26, 2022, 11:18 am
#81
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 407
Upgrade w/ In-Cabin Pet
Does anyone know if having an in-cabin pet will prevent a complimentary domestic upgrade from happening?
I'm Platinum flying with a Platinum companion on a fairly popular route (same PNR), so wouldn't normally be holding my breath anyway. But just curious to know if this factor was going to disqualify us altogether.
I'm Platinum flying with a Platinum companion on a fairly popular route (same PNR), so wouldn't normally be holding my breath anyway. But just curious to know if this factor was going to disqualify us altogether.
Jun 27, 2022, 10:47 am
#82
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 12
Pet Travel to Colombia on American
Flying to Colombia via Miami with a small shih-tzu. Can someone please confirm if we can fly with an in-cabin pet to Colombia? Assuming we have all vaccinations and certificates, will
we be able to bring an inflight pet with us on America ?
we be able to bring an inflight pet with us on America ?
Jun 27, 2022, 12:13 pm
#83
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/...strestrictions
Jun 27, 2022, 12:32 pm
#84
Join Date: Mar 2010
Programs: AA, UA, Marriott
Posts: 1,112
Does anyone know if having an in-cabin pet will prevent a complimentary domestic upgrade from happening?
I'm Platinum flying with a Platinum companion on a fairly popular route (same PNR), so wouldn't normally be holding my breath anyway. But just curious to know if this factor was going to disqualify us altogether.
I'm Platinum flying with a Platinum companion on a fairly popular route (same PNR), so wouldn't normally be holding my breath anyway. But just curious to know if this factor was going to disqualify us altogether.
On UA as a data point, a pet declared in advance DOES block you from CPU before check-in, or at least a few years ago. After I found that out the hard way, I never alert the airline in advance and declare/pay the pet at the airport, and I have never been in the situation that the aircraft hit its pet limit (even near Christmas/New Years, where there's more pets on all flights, and JFK-LAX, where there's a comical number of pets onboard at all times.)
Keep in mind if you do get upgraded, you cannot be in the bulkhead or in a flat-bed, except for the A321T.
Jun 27, 2022, 2:35 pm
#86
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 407
The only problem with this method is that AA only allows a certain number of in-cabin pets per cabin per flight, so if you show up and the allocation is full, you're out of luck.
Sep 28, 2022, 9:01 am
#87
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,510
Dogs On Flights
Took two flights in First over the weekend and there were 2-3 dogs in the cabin on both flights. All were well behaved and no problems. None were in crates. And none had any type of "Service Dog" vest and none appeared to be Service dogs. Just family pets. Is there a new or relaxed policy about bringing pet dogs onboard, at least in First? I'd rather be flying with my terrier in cabin rather that having her in the hold or putting her in a kennel.
Sep 28, 2022, 9:18 am
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: KHOU/KIAH
Programs: AA EXP | Marriott Bonvoy Titanium| Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 11,252
If the dog can fit in a carrier that fits under the seat (dimensions are listed online), you can bring them onboard. There's a cabin pet fee.
If it was a large dog, then it has to be a service animal.
If it was a large dog, then it has to be a service animal.
Sep 28, 2022, 9:28 am
#89
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Utqiagvik (Barrow) Alaska and Ann Arbor, Michigan
Programs: Charter Member Delta Diamond Medallion, Lifetime AA Platinum, IHG Diamond, Hilton & Marriott Gold
Posts: 630
Took two flights in First over the weekend and there were 2-3 dogs in the cabin on both flights. All were well behaved and no problems. None were in crates. And none had any type of "Service Dog" vest and none appeared to be Service dogs. Just family pets. Is there a new or relaxed policy about bringing pet dogs onboard, at least in First? I'd rather be flying with my terrier in cabin rather that having her in the hold or putting her in a kennel.
"Carry-on pets
- Fees for carry-on pets for flights to/from all cities affected by this alert in Florida will be waived, except for flights from FLL, MIA and PBI, through October 1, 2022.
- The number of carry-on pets allowed in the cabin is temporarily lifted for these same cities.
- Pets must fit properly in an approved carrier that can be safely placed under the seat in front of you for the entire flight."
Sep 28, 2022, 9:28 am
#90
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,510
No crates for any of the dogs that I saw; just leashes. And only one vest-"Dog in Training" (whatever that means).